Press Release

U.S. EDA Grant to Support Clean Energy Plan in Haverhill, Massachusetts

March 29, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $50,000 grant to the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) of Haverhill, Mass., to develop and produce a regional clean energy plan.

"Increasing economic resiliency and sustainability are top priorities for the Obama administration," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John R. Fernandez. "This EDA investment will help to strengthen fifteen local municipalities by planning for and developing business and employment opportunities within the field of clean energy."

"The EDA grant for the Clean Energy Plan grew out of several of the Commission's programs and our partnership with the Merrimack Valley Mayors and Managers Coalition is the driver for this regional opportunity," said MVPC Executive Director, Dennis DiZoglio.

This project is funded through EDA's Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund (GCCMIF) which is intended to foster the green economy by promoting economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. This project comes from the grantee's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to advance opportunities for low impact development, green building and alternative energy uses in both the public and private sectors.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration:

The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.